Boring apparatus.



u. THOMPSON, JR. BORlNG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-2% 1916.

' Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

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"U. THOMPSON, JR. BORING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.20. 1916.

1,238,362. Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ULDBIC THOMPSON, J'B., OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

' BORING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

Application filed November 20, 1916. Serial No. 132,241.

IO ratus, and more particularly the invention relates to apparatus for accurately, rapidly and safely boring recesses in high explosive material as, for example, boring in high explosive shells recesses adapted to receive exploders or detonators.

In producing high explosive shells it is customary to employ a steel shell having a cylindrical bore of a given diameter throughout almost its entire length and having a cylindrical bore of somewhat greater diameter for a short distance from its open end or mouth, thus affording an annular shoulder in the plane between. the bores of the two diameters against which rests the head through which passes the detonator when the shell is completely assembled. 'The shell is first filled with high explosive material in molten form, the shell being filled completely, including the portion of the larger diameter at the mouth of the -shell,-so that the casting of explosive material is free from pipes and blowholes. After the casting has sufficiently cooled the explosive material is removed from the portion of the J shell of larger diameter and an axial hole of'relatively small diameter is drilled in the ,explosive material contained in the portion of the shell of smaller diameter, so that the detonator may be inserted into the shell in 40 intimate contact with the explosive material.

Heretofore it has been the practice to follow one of the following methods in producing a shell of the character outlined above. The first method consists in removing the material from the larger portion of the shell, (a. from the relatively short por tion adjacent its mouth, and boring an axial recess in the explosive material in the smaller portion of the shell by means of a hand drill or a power drill. Another method consists in casting the high explosive around a casting plug or core, the core having acvlindrical base. the size of the larger portion of the shell and having an axial protuberance of the proper size to form the axial recess in the explosive material occupying the portion of the shell of smaller diameter. However, both of these methods are unsatisfactory, the first for the reason that it is slow, tedious and unsafe, and the latter for the reason that the cast material contains blowholes and coarse crystals which seriously affect the density and explosive qualities of the shell and which leave the shell under-weight.

Furthermore, any method by which a portion of the explosive material is removed after the shell has been filled with cast material involves certain vital requirements among which may be mentioned the following. In the first place, great accuracy must be employed notonly so that the detonator will be in intimate contact with the remaining explosive material, thereby properly to detonate the mass, but also so that the detonator will not jam when inserted before firing. Secondly, in removing the explosive material ocupying the larger portion of the shell adjacent its mouth, the material must be cut acurately to the plane defined by the shoulder between the two portions of the shell of large and small bore, respectively, for the reasons that if the material is removed to a plane rearwardly of the shoulder the remaining material will not be held in place but will break loose from the Walls of the shell thereby making the detonation ineffective or causing the shell to explode in the gun, and if material is only removed to a plane forwardly of the shoulder the remaining material which extends forwardly of the shoulder is likely to be broken down when the (letonator and other parts of the head are placed in position thereby causing the explosive to fall into the detonator recess and jam the exploder. And thirdly, in boring a recess of accurately predetermined depth it is necessary to deter mine the depth of the recesses with respect to some accurately machined external part of the stock which bears a known relation to the point 01' plane to which it is desired to bore. In the case of shells of the char-v acter described for example, theoverall length of the shells may vary considerably due to allowed tolerances, but the distance from the mouth of the shell to the afore said shoulder is substantially constant for all shells of a given type and size and it is therefore essential to determine the depth of bore with relation to the forward edge of the shell.

\ and to bore an axial recess in the explosive material occupying the rearward portion of the shell of smaller bore; to provide for properly positioning the shell or other stock both laterally and longitudinally with respect to a boring tool arranged to reciprocate back and forth along a fixed path; to provide means for indicating when the shell or other stock is in the proper longitudinal position with respect to the aforesaid path of reciprocation; and to provide indicating means which cooperate with a portion of the shell or other stock bearing a definite and known relation to the internal shoulder of the shell or to any other part of the stock to which it is desired to out.

Other objects of the invention will be'apparent from the disclosure ,of the particular embodiments of my invention hereinafter more fully and at large set forth in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the indicator type of my improved apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the apparatus showing the guide for laterally positioning the stock in alinement with the boring tool;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section showing the means for both laterally and longitudinally positioning the stock with relation to the boring tool; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical lon "'tudinal section of another embodiment o the invention showing constant stop means for longitudinally positioning the stock.

As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the apparatus as a Whole comprises a boring spindle 1 mounted to reciprocate vertically in bearings 2 and arranged to be reciprocated by means of a bell crank 3 pivotally mounted. at 4 and engaging the lower end of the boring spindle 1 by means of a pin and slotconnection 6. Above the boring spindle and in alinement therewith, is the mounting head 7 having a vertical longitudinal inner bore adapted to receive the shell sleeve 13. The boring head is mounted on a base 9 which in turn is secured to the mounting head7 which communicates'with a pipe 17 leading to an exhaust fan or other suitable means for withdrawing the borings from the casing. Suitable means for rotating the boring spindle comprises a belt 18 extending between a source of power and the pulley 19 on the boring spindle, openings 21 being provided in the base 9 and vertical support 11 to permit the passage of the belt. In order to limit the upward movement of the boring tool and thereby accurately bore the stock to a predetermined depth, a stop 22 may be adjustably mounted on the boring spindle by means of a set screw 23 and arranged in such manner as to engage the lower side of the lower bearing 2 when the boring spindle has reached its proper uppermost position.

Referring to the more detailed showing of the mounting head 7 and shell sleeve 13 and other parts shown in Figs. 4 and 5, it is evident that the shell 26 fits snugly into the'shell sleeve 13 and that the shell sleeve may be laterally adjusted by means of the screws 14 accurately to center the boring spindle and boring tool with respect to the shell 26, and as above noted it is not only necessary laterally to adjust the shell with respect to the boring tool, but it is also essential that the shell be longitudinally positioned with respect to the path of reciprocation of the boring tool so that the cutting collar 27 on the boring tool will cut to the horizontal plane defined by the shoulder 28 between the portion 29 of the shell. which is of larger diameter, and the portion 31 of smaller diameter, which extends from the shoulder 28 to the base of the shell.

The preferred means for longitudinally positioning the shell comprises a collar 32 having an annular shoulder 33 adapted to manner and, indeed, it may be mounted on supporting means other than the sleeve 13,

if desired. The inner bore of the bearinghandle 38 is adapted to be forced against the shell under considerable pressure and thereby securely hold the shell in fixed position with respect to the shell sleeve 13 after it has been properly positioned by 1 means of the adjusting collar '32.

In order accurately to indicate the proper longitudinal position of the shell 26, an indicating lever 39 is arranged to contact with the forward edge of the shell 26 at one end and to play over an indicating scale 42 at the other end. The indicating lever is preferably mounted near the shell end so that the free end of the lever playing over scale 42 will have-a considerable range of movement and thereby afford greater accuracy of indication. A convenient means of so mounting the indicating lever comprises a rod 43 adjustably mounted in collars 44, bent inwardly at its lower portion and pivotally connected with the indicating lever at 46. The collars 44 may be mounted directly upon the mounting head 7 or they may be mounted by means of a pivotal connection upon the heads of the screws 14 in such manner that the screws and screw heads may be rotated without rotating the collars 44. The latter is the preferred method of mounting the rod 43 for the reason that it afiords a very convenient means of automatically positioning the lower end of the indicating lever axially with respect to the shell 26,

inasmuch as this form of mounting means maintains the distance between the axis of v the shell and the rod 43 constant, this distance being determined by the radius of the shell plus the thickness of the shell sleeve 13 plus the length of the adjusting screws 14.

In the modified form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 6 the indicating mechanism shown in Figs. 4 and is replaced by a plate 47 secured to the forward face of the flange 33 by means of stud bolts 48 and thereby bearing a constant and fixed relation to the adjusting collar 32. The shell 26 bears against the upper face of the plate 47 around the periphery of the opening 49 which is concentric with the boring tool and which is of slightly greater diameter than the larger bore of the shell, the plate 47 functioning as a stop.

The operation of the indicating type of apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, is as follows: The shell 26 after being entirely filled with cast explosive material is inserted in the shell sleeve 13 from the top until the forward tapered portion of the shell is seated in the bearing 34. The shell sleeve 13 is first centered with respect to the path of reciprocation of the boring tool by means of screws 14, after which the shell is longitudinally adjusted into the proper position by turning the adjusting collar 32 so as either to raise or to lower the shell as required.

The cutting collar 27is-of substantially the same diameter as the smaller internal bore 31 of the shell and when it has been advanced to the plane defined by shoulder 28 only a ver thin ring of explosive material is left adjacent the edge of the shoulder so that the ring'of explosive material disposed around the cutting collar 27 in the larger portion 29 of the shell is easily withdrawn from the mouth of the shell and may even fall out due to its own weight when the cutting collar reaches the plane of the shoulder 28. Owing to the fact that the cutting collar 27 is of slightly smaller diameter than the smaller internal bore of the shell it does not make contact with the shoulder 28 and thereby a common cause of premature explosions during the boring process is eliminated and the sharp cutting edge of the cutting collar is not impaired. The cutting collar 27 is mounted on the shank of the boring tool and is so disposed longitudinally of the boring tool that when the cutting collar. reaches the plane of shoulder 28 the boring tool has advanced the proper distance into the portion of the shell of smaller diameter to bore a suitable recess for the detonator.

In initially adjusting the path of reciprocation of the boring tool and in determining the normal position of the indicating lever either one of the following methods is satisfactory. The first method -comprises first making a normal mark on the scale 42 as indicated at 51, adjusting the shell 26 longitudinally until the lever arm stands at the normal position, and then by means of one or more trial borings adjust the stop collar 22 on the boring spindle 1' so that the cutting collar 27 can be advanced only to the plane of the shoulder 28. The other method comprises first adjusting the stop collar 22 into approximately the correct position, then longitudinally adjusting the shell to the proper position by means of collar 32, after making one or more trial borings, and finally making a mark on the indicating scale 42 at the end of the indicating lever which thereafter constitutes the normal indicating point.

Owing to the fact that the shell is supported by means of the tapered bearing around its forwardend instead of by means of a stop engaging its forward edge, the space beneath the mouth of the shell is left comparatively open so that the material cut away by the boring tool can freely fall from the recess and be removed by the suction chamber-"16 and suction pipe 17. Thus the accumulation of explosive material on the usual support disposed-beneath the shell is eliminated, thereby avoiding explosions resulting from blows upon this material upon the insertion of new shells into the apparatus. Moreover, no mounds can accumulate upon my shell support to give the shell a false height relative to the travel of the boring too The operation of the modified embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 6 is similar to that of the apparatus shown in the preceding figures in so far as the determination of the position of the stop co1-- lar 22 on the spindle 1 and the determina tion ofthe position of adjusting collar 32 on shell sleeve 13 is concerned. However,

owing to the shell being supported at its lower edge instead of upon a bearing surface engaging its tapered forward portion, it is automatically brought to rest in the proper longitudinal position, after the parts have been properly adjusted, and the necessity of indicating, mechanism is eliminated.

The danger ofvan explosion resulting-from borings accumulating on the plate 47 and being detonated by dropping a new shell upon them is avoided by making the opening 49 somewhat larger than the inner bore of the mouth of the shell and by providing suction apparatus for carrying away the borings as they are formed; and the shell is properly positioned longitudinally.

Although the above described modifications of my invention, which have been selected for the purpose of illustration, comprise two simple forms of the invention, it

is evident that the same principles employed in connection with these modifications may be applied to other types of shells such as base-loaded shells, for example, and to other types of apparatus as, for example, rotating turrets wherein several shells may be placed in the turret and thereby be brought successively into alinement with the boring tool.

I claim:

1. Boring apparatus comprising a boring tool, means for reciprocating the boring tool with respect'tothe stock, a supporting member having an opening therethrough adapted to receive the stock at its rearward end, and a stop arranged to engage the stock at its forward end when the stock is dis posed in 'said opening so that the stock is longitudinally positioned with respect to the path of reciprocation of the boring tool, the stop being threaded on the forward end of the supporting member so that it may be adjusted longitudinally of the path of reciprocation of the boring tool.

2; Boring apparatusfor recessing a tubuwith relation to along a fixed path, a

lar member, tapered at its forward end comprising a bormg tool means for reciprocating the boring tool along a fixed path the tubular member, and tapered means for engaging the tapered portion of the tubular member on opposite sides longitudinally to position the tubular member with respect to the path of reciprocation of the boring tool.

3. Boring apparatus for recessing a tubular member tapered at the forward end comprising a boring tool, means for reciprocating the boring tool along a fixed path with respect to the tubular member, a support for the tubular member, and a tubular stop for longitudinally positioning the tubular member with respect to the path of reciprocation of the boring member, the tubular stop having a tapered internal bore adapted to fit the tapered end ofthe tubular member.

4, Boring apparatus for recessing. a tubular member tapered at the forward end comprising a boring tool, means for reciprocating the boring tool along a fixed path with respect to the tubular member, a support for the tubular member, and a tubular stop for longitudinally positioning the tufor reciprocating the boring tool along a fixed path, a supporting member having an opening adapted to receive the tubular member at its rearward end, a stop arranged to engage the forward end of the tubular'member and thereby longitudinally position the tubular member with relation to the path of reciprocation of the boring tool, and means for centering the supporting member and the stop relatively to the boring tool.

6. oring apparatus comprising a boring tool, means for reciprocating the boring tool guide having an opening 1n alinement withsaid path 'for laterally positioning the stock and means for at least partially supporting the stock and for positioning the stock longitudinally of said pat I I 7. Boring apparatus comprising a boring tool, means for reciprocatingthe boring tool along a fixed path, a guide having an openmg in alinement with said path for laterally positioning the stock and means disposed forwardly of the guide in engagement with the forward end of the stock for at least partially'supporting the stock and for positioning the stock longitudinally of said 8. Boring apparatus for accurately recessing stock to a given depth comprising a boring tool, means for reciprocating the boring tool along afixed path, means for supporting the stock, and means for indicating the longitudinal position of the stock' path of reciprocation.

with relation to the of the boring tool.

9. Boring apparatus for accurately re.-'

cessing stock to a given depth comprising a boring tool, means for reciprocating the boring tool along a fixed path, means for supporting the stock, and means arranged to engage the forward end of the stock for indicating the longitudinal position of the stock with relation to the path of reciprocation of the boring tool.

10. Boring apparatus for accurately recessing stock to a given depth comprising a boring tool, means for reciprocating the boring tool along a fixed path, means for positioning the stock in alinement with said said path, means engaging the stock at its forward end for positioning the stock longitudina-lly of said path, and means for ath, and means for indi indicating the longitudinal position of the stock.

12. Boring apparatus for accurately recessing stock to .a given depth comprising a boring tool, means for reciprocating the boring tool along a fixed path, means for positioning the stock in alinement withsaid path, means for positioning the stock longitudinall of said path, and means engaging the stoci at its forward end for indicating the lon itudinal position ofthe stock.

13. oring apparatus for accurately recessing stock to a given depth comprising a boring tool, means for reciprocating the boring tool along a fixed path, means for positioning the stock in alinement with said path, means engaging the stock at its forward end for positioning the stock longitudinally of said path, and means engaging the stock at its forward end for indicating the lon itudinal position of the stock.

14. oring apparatus for accurately recessi-ng stock a' given depth comprising a boring tool, means for reciprocating the boring tool along a fixed path, means for supporting the stock, and an indicating lever ivotally mounted so that one end thereoi engages the forward end of the stock and thereby indicates the longitudinal position of the stock with respect to the path of reciprocation of the boring tool.

Signed by me at New York,-N.' Y., this 6th day of Nov. 19%.

ULDRIC THOMPSON, JR. 

